Off Beat Interview Series with Mike Hipsher
Tell us a little about yourself! Where did you grow up?
Mostly in the midwest, I was born in Michigan, spent a year in Mexico, Missouri then moved to the Chicago suburbs through high school. Where I really grew up , though, was working in southern Utah on the river and on a cattle ranch that later became part of Canyonlands National Park.
How did you find your way to the river?
I got into the connection through a friend early in my college time at the Univ of Utah working summers on the river. I spent 20 years in the east at the Nantahala Outdoor Center learning day tripping – canoes, kayaks and rafts. I took up wildwater racing and traveled the world doing it. After helping with the ‘96 Olympics race site construction I came back west to float in Idaho, Utah’s Canyonlands and the Grand Canyon in the northern hemisphere spring/summer/fall and worked on the Bio Bio and the Futaleufu in the Chilean summers.
If you could be a river super hero, what would you be?
I’d be a teacher of natural history, outdoor environment, and just seeing and experiencing things we find on the river.
What is your favorite dress up theme?
flannel shirt and a pair of jeans, I’m not much of a dress-up person
What is your ‘go to’ crazy hat night creation?
I have a really fun rubber ConeHead hat that is hot as blazes to wear but fun.
What brought you to Canyons?
I worked with Les and Susan at NOC. When it came time to expand my world to Idaho I looked them up.
How many years have you worked here?
Since 1997, so almost 30 years.
What is your favorite thing about Canyons?
Les and Susan created this company in the model of their family, everyone included and nurtured. Greg has done a great job adding his signature to the company bringing others into his management team. The staff is just like a family, taking care of each other and the folks who choose to share their vacation with us
If you could describe Canyons in 3 words?
Sharing experiences together
When you hear the word Idaho, what comes to mind?
The Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness Area
What are your top three favorite camps?
Shelf – good access to a kayak surfing wave and hot springs, Survey – some stately Ponderosas, Blackadar on the Main – named after an Idaho whitewater pioneer and a great beach above the waterlevel with more Ponderosas
Your favorite hike?
Shelf to Loon Creek hot springs
Top three favorite rapids?
No real solid ones, just the ones the next day on the trip.
Currently what is your nemesis rapid?
Pinball, since the Upper Middle Fork changes in 2024. I usually read the rapids as I go but that one needs a few key turns that don’t make any sense to me until I miss them
What river do you want to run that you haven’t yet?
Selway, the permits are pretty limited, one launch per day and it is given by a lottery that if one is not lucky, one may never win.
What do you consider a ‘real’ job?
One I could pay the bills with and get to travel the world with cool people – running rivers
If you could only have one kayak in your quiver, what would it be and why?
LiquidLogic RMX 76, It’s a great flat-spinning surfing boat ready to go anywhere, I can take my lunch in it and some spare clothes and a rescue kit. A great piece of equipment for a day of adventure
What is your favorite thing to cook on the river?
Lasagna, its a flurry of activity then it’s just sit down for a beer ‘til it’s done.
If you could take a musician or band down the river today, who would it be?
A blue grass group. Nobody notable, just some players having a good time together.
What is your most memorable swim in a river?
I got stuck in a corner pocket eddy upside down in Lava Rapid in the Grand Canyon. My shoulder wasn’t working very well in the roll attempts, so I got a new titanium/teflon one.
What is one of your river rituals or superstitions?
Shave and put on clean clothes before a big rapid day.
What is your most valued non river related item that you bring with you on every trip?
My coffee cup, I know where it has been and the liquid gets me going in the morning.
What is your favorite groover spot?
The down-the-beach rock enclosure at Alder Creek on the Main. It’s a bit away from the camping and a nice lookout to the river listening to the rapid coming up surrounded by Idaho Granite.
Similar Posts by The Author:
- The Interior Guide: How to Actually Show Up for Yourself this River Trip
- Internal Hydrology: Why You’re More Watershed Than Human
- Off Beat Interview Series with Clark
- Blogs are Reflections from a Salmon River SUP Adventure
- Threats to the Salmon River – Stibnite Mine
